SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University junior defensive end Marcus Martin has been named PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.

Martin compiled 18.5 tackles for loss and 9.0 sacks this season, breaking SRU and PSAC career records in both categories. He finished third on the team with 64 tackles.

Martin will enter his senior season ranked sixth all-time in sacks in NCAA Division II, just six off the NCAA record. He is ninth all-time in Division II in tackles for loss, 11 off the record.

Martin was named PSAC West Freshman of the Year two seasons ago and Defensive Player of the Year last season. He has the opportunity next season to become the first PSAC player ever to receive a player of the year honor in four straight years.

Former SRU quarterback Randy McKavish is the only other Rock player to get three conference player of the year honors. Like Martin, he was PSAC West Freshman of the Year and went on to receive two Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Three other Rock defenders — Butler graduate and senior linebacker Bob Vernick, tackle Joe Phillips and cornerback Titus Howard — earned first team All-PSAC West honors.

Vernick was second on the team with 69 tackles despite missing two full games with an ankle injury. He had four interceptions and 3.5 tackles for loss. Phillips, like Vernick a repeat first team selection, had five sacks and nine tackles for loss. Howard had 30 tackles, an interception and seven pass break-ups.

Senior linebacker Anthony Zappone was a second team selection. He led SRU with 88 tackles after transferring from Eastern Michigan. Zappone also had five interceptions, 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

Three SRU offensive players made second team All-PSAC West as well. Seneca Valley graduate Steve Gaviglia, a sophomore, graded out as The Rock’s top offensive lineman as a right tackle. He helped the offense average 436 yards per game 294 passing, 142 rushing — this season.

Junior receiver Marcus Johnson had 54 catches for 898 yards and 13 touchdowns. Junior running back Isiah Neely rushed for 502 yards and four touchdowns after missing significant time with injury.